The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-08-31

facts of which are so closely allied to
romance that we're they not easily au-
thenticated they would be open to sus-
picion Colonel Charles Scott, now
sheriff of Hillsboro county, N. H., was
an officer of the Sixth New Hampshire
Regiment. He was taken sick at New
was determined to go to his bedside.
The wife of Major j. A. Cummings,
now resident and ex-mayor of Som
erville, Mass, of the same regiment
made this the opportunity to visit her
husband, then at the front. The
ladies-being joined by the wife of
another officer of the regiment-made
the journey in safety. Later, Colonel
Scott having partially recovered from
his sickness, the party started for
Washington. When upon the Po-
tomac the boat upon which they were
passengers collided with another boat,
and in the darkness of the night the
ladies were lost. Colonel Scott, after a
terrible experience, was saved, and
shortly after reached his desolate home
in Peterboro. Mr.. James Scott, the
father of Mrs. Cummings, but no rela-
ton to Colonel Scott, determined to OBJ
tain the bodies of the lost ladies
and started for Washington. He was
man of inhexible strength of pur-
pose, of few words, brave, and yet very
tender of heart. Arriving in Washing
ton at time when the most loyal
man-were he stranger-was sus-
pected of being an enemy, he set him
self diligently to the task he had as
sumed. He had made known his er-
rand to the provost marshal of the Dis
trict and stated his ability to pay all
necessary expenses, but was fatty re-
fused permission to 90 down the Po-
tomac upon government transport.
After some reflection he determined to
seek permission of the secretary of
war. Mr.. Stanton treated him very
gruffly and told him in so many words
that under no circumstances would a
civilian be permitted to make the Jour-
ney. Mr.. Scott was disheartened
but not discouraged. There was one
chance left. He would state his
case to Abraham Lincoln. He called
unattended on the President. 1t
was at the close of day of laborious
duty and great anxiety. Mr. Lincoln
was worn out with fatigue and the
burden of his great office. He listened
to Mr.. Scott impatiently and finally told
him he must 60 to Stanton. He could
do nothing for him. - But" said Mr..
Scott, {" have been to Mr.. Stanton
and he has positively refused me.' Mr..
Lincoln, however, declined to grant his
request, and Mr.. Scott returned to his
hotel in sorrow AT eleven O'Clock that
night-when in agony of mind--a mes
senger called him from his room in the
hotel and told him the President was
below and wished to see him. Mr..
Scott went into the presence of Mr..
Lincoln with fear and trembling. Said
Mr.. Lincoln, " fear, sir, that my con-
duct has been such as to make it APP
pear that | had forgotten my humanity.
You say that one of the unfortunate
ladies was your daughter?" Mr.. Scott
replied in the affirmative, and there
upon the two men sat down and talked
as Familiarity as old friends. Great
tears rolled down the Presidents care
worn face as he heard the story of the
shipwreck. In fact, the chief magis-
trate of a great nation wept with the
humble private citizen and in sorrow
and contrition offered to serve him as
luOuSu Hc NcIc d DIOluCI. LIS DtllluS
words were: g Go to Mr.. Stanton and
tell him the President directs that he
furnish you with every possible facility
to find the bodies of the lost ladies"
Mr.. Scott called on the secretary as di-
rected, and was again rebuffed. Said
Mr.. Stanton: "The President is con-
stantly demoralizing the service. Your
request cannot be granted" Mr.. Scott
returned to Mr.. Lincoln and stated the
result of his interview. He won't dc
as l directed? Demoralizing the serv-
ice!" said Mr.. Lincoln, the tears falling
upon the paper before him. We will
see about it' He then wrote man
datory order to Mr.. Stanton requiring
him to furnish pass, transportation tC
the scene of the disaster and all neces
sary assistance to find the bodies. The
: secretary reluctantly obeyed the order
and the result was that after cruising
: along the shore in the vicinity of the
wreck, and after much inquiry among
the inhabitants, the place where the
bodies washed ashore and the place Of
interment were discovered and they
were brought home to their native New
Hampshire. boston Journal